Margin calculator for typewriters



May 27, 1947. B. H. GRIEF MARGIN CALCULATOR FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed March 1, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented ay 27, 1947 MARGIN CALCULATOR FOR TYPEWRITERS Bonney H. Grief, Chicago, Ill., assignor of onehalf to H. H. Hayduk, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 1, 1945, Serial No. 580,364

6 Claims. (01. 197-194) My invention relates to margin calculators for typewriters.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use in combination with a typewriter which will enable the typist, in doing tabulating work, to secure the desired intercolumnar spacing and equal marginal spacing.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

In the drawings, in which my invention is illustrated,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing parts of a typewriter provided with a margin calculator;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a development View of the margin calculator scale;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a manuscript copy which is to be tabulated;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing one position of the paper sheet and margin scale;

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view showing another position; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the final reading position.

In tabulation requiring a number of spaced columns on a sheet, to obtain the desired equal margins on both sides of the typewritten tabulated matter, it is necessary to subtract from the total number of type spaces on the sheet of paper being used (for example, 85) both the sum of the maximum type spaces necessary in each column (for example, 13 plus 11, plus 11) and the product of a desired number of intercolumnar type spaces (for example, '7) times the number or" intercolumnar spaces (for example, 2 intercolumnar spaces corresponding to 3 columns) and to divide this remainder by two. The proper margin space is therefore indicate the position of the carriage and of the.

left-hand margin of the paper carried thereby with respect to the impression position as determined by the type guide 4, ribbon feed and guide mechanism 5 for the ribbon 5 type keys 6, space bar 1, paper edge guide 8, and type space scale 9 mounted on the carriage cooperating with the the carriage, spaced from each other a distance paper edge guide 8 to indicate the placing of the sheet of paper with respect to the platen.

A multiple scale device Ill is mounted on the carriage for longitudinal and rotational movement on and with respect thereto, the scale device being shown as having a plurality of parallel, longitudinallyextending divisions ll, each division having a first longitudinal intercolumnar scale portion l2 having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the fixed index, spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces and having a second ultracolumnar longitudinal scale portion l3 having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the right-hand margin of a paper sheet carried by equal to two type spaces. The multiplescale device, a development view of which is shown in Fig. 3, comprises .a long cylindrical bar I 4 slidably and rotatably mounted in a sleeve I5 carried by the rock arms l6 pivotally secured at I! to the ends of the typewriter carriage I. Suitable spring means H; are provided which will hold the arms it, either in the operative position shown in Fig. 2 or in a raised withdrawn position. The usual paper fingers or rollers [9 may be rotatably mounted on this sleeve.

The multiple scale bar M is rotatably mounted in the sleeve l5 so that any one of the five scale portions ll shown may be brought opposite the sight opening 20 in the sleeve [5. Each of the five scale portions H is provided with indicia 2i at each end 'to indicate the selected intercolumnar spacing. Thus, B02 indicates two type spaces between columns; B05 indicates five type spaces between columns; BC!!! indicates ten type spaces between columns, etc.

If, as discussed hereinafter, the typist selects an intercolumnar spacing equal to seven type spaces, she will rotate the multiple scale bar M to bring the BC! scale into View through the sight opening 20. The left-hand end I2 of each scale of the five scale sections H has equally spaced numerals thereon for cooperation with the fixed pointer, the distance between each numeral corresponding to the type space indicated by the indicia 2| at the end of this particular section. Thus, the scale section corresponding to the B02 scale has its numerals two type spaces apart; the scale section corresponding to BC! has its numerals spaced apart seven type spaces, etc. This part of the scale is used in determining the product of the number of columns, less one, times the selected intercolumnar space, which product is the total intercolumnar space. The righthand end of each scale section II comprises a plurality of consecutive numerals spaced apart a distance equal to two type spaces. This part of the scale is used in effecting the divisional part of the operation, that is, in dividing the ultracolumnar space by two. The left-hand scale portion is used in determining the total intercolumnar type spacing. The space bar I is used in determining the sum total of the columnar, width type spacings.

In order to maintain the rotatable and slidable scale bar I4 in the selected position of rotatable adjustment, the bar itself is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 22, one for each of the scale divisions II, and a spring detent 23 is provided housed in a pocket in the sleeve I5 and spring pressed toward the rotatable bar I4 so that it will snap into the grooves 22 in the bar as they are brought into registration therewith. This spring detent will enable the operator to sense when the detent is snapped into the groove and will maintain the scale bar in this position of rotary adjustment as the bar is slipped longitudinally. When the detent is in registration with any groove 22, one of the scale sections II will be exposed through the opening 20 in position to be read.

Fig. 5 shows subject matter for tabulation which might be written in manuscript with no particular attention paid to positioning the subject matter as it should appear on the finished typewritten sheet.

To make the desired tabulation on the type writer and secure equal ultracolumnar margins, the typist first inserts the sheet in the typewriter so that its left edge is at zero on the scale 9 and slides the carriage I to its extreme right-hand zero position on the scale 2. To center the main heading Mineral-rich vegetables, the typist will depress the space bar I once for each letter,

space, and punctuation mark in this main heading, without actually counting them or adding them up, which will amount to twenty-three spaces. In centering the main heading, it makes no difference which one of the five faces I I of the tabulator scale or bar I4 is showing. The typist then slides the tabulating bar I4 along until the letter C on the exposed scale division II is directly above the pointer 3. The typist then reads on the exposed scale portion I3 the number at which the right-hand edge of the paper crosses this scale. In this particular example, if a standard sized paper 8 /2 inches wide is used and the type spacing is ten to the inch, the reading will be 31, that is,

The typist then moves the carriage to bring the numberal 31 on the type space scale 2 opposite the index 3 and types the heading: Mineral-rich vegetables. The same method is used for centering the second main heading: Best sources of 3 important minerals.

The next problem is to secure the proper placement of the columns. The typist will first pencil check the word or line in each column which requires the greatest type spaces. In the example shown, the longest type space required in the first column is Turnip greens (13 type spaces); in the second column, the heading Phosphorous (11 type spaces), and in the third column, the words Water cress (11 type spaces). She will move the type carriage to its extreme right-hand position (Fig. 6), the margin calculator I 4 being in any random position, and depress the space bar I once for each letter and space in the selected items, without counting them up, which will amount to thirty-five times (13+l1-l-ll), to bring the carriage to the position shown in Fig. 7.

There is no rule as to how many spaces shall be left between the columns of any given table. If it is obvious that there will be plenty of room to spread out the table, as in the present case, a wide spacing between columns may be chosen, such, for example, as seven. The typist does not need to spend time wondering how many spaces should be left between columns, as this does not matter so much, the important thing being to get equal margins on opposite sides of the table. Having decided on an intercolumnar spacing of seven, the typist then adjusts the tabulator scale to bring the BC! scale into visible position. The typist then slides the tabulator scale along until the Figure 3 (the number of columns in the given table) is opposite the pointer 3 (as shown in Fig. 8). The typist then notes the reading on the tabulator scale at the point where the righthand edge of the paper crosses it. In this particular example, it will cross at the numeral 18, that is,

on the scale portion I3, if the above-indicated size paper and type spacing is used. The typist then slides the carriage to bring the numeral 18 on the letter position scale 2 opposite the index 3. This is the starting point for the first column.

The typist now is in possession of the necessary information for placing the table. She knows where to start the first column (at space 18) and how many spaces to leave between columns ('7 spaces). Knowing these two facts, the typist can go ahead and type the table correctly and secure equal ultra-columnar margins. However, there is a quick and easy method of doing the typing as follows: Having placed the margin at 18, before typing the heading of the column, the typist should type an underscore mark of the same length as the longest line in that column. This has already been found to be Turnip greens (13 type spaces). The said underscore mark is made of the correct length by spelling the heading while depressing the underscore key. This procedure eliminates the necessity of counting the letters. In striking the underscore key, the typist should not forget to include the space between the two words. The typist now centers and types the heading Calcium above the underscore mark. The typist now operates the space bar MINERAL-RICH VEGETABLES Best sources of 3 important minerals Calcium Phosphorous Iron Turnip greens Beans Parsley Kale Peas Lentils Soybeans Lentils Beans Water cross Soybeans Water cress It will be noted that in the final step of the calculation, the scale bar I4, which is read in conjunction with the point where th right-hand edge of the paper crosses the scale, is slid to a definite position with respect to the fixed index 3. This definite positioning is that in which that numeral on the portion i2 of the selected scale which represents the numbers of colums in the table is opposite the fixed index 3. It will also be noted that the number of internumeral spaces on :the scale l2 between the letter C and any numeral on the scale is one less than said numetal. It will also be noted that the distance between adjacent numerals On any scale portion i3 is equal to two type spaces. It should also be noted here that the index 3 is ofiset to the right about three type spaces from the actual printing position at 5. This offset was a matter of convenience, as it enabled the index 3 to be made as an extension of the conventional paper guide plate 2 3. The scale 2 which is on the sleeve I5 has its markings positioned to take care of this offsetting of the index 3 so that when the carriage is shifted to its extreme right-hand position, the index 3 will register with zero on the scale 2.

The scale portions l3 are so laid out that when the carriage is moved to the extreme right to bring the left-hand edge of the paper to zero position, and the scale rod M is shifted to bring the letter C on any scale l3 into alignment with the index 3, any numeral on that scale will represent one-half the number of type faces between the 1eft-hand ed e of the paper and that numeral. This scale portion could be extended to include numerals enough to extend completely across the sheet to the right-hand edge; that is to say, for an 85-type space sheet, the scale could be extended to include numerals up to one-half of 35 (42 /2), as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 6. This would never be necessary, however, as the total spacing for the columns and the total intercolumnar spacing have to be subtracted from the total type space width (85) before the scale 13, which divides the remaining type space by two, is brought into use. In practice, it has been found that the scale portions I3 do not need to be extended beyond the numeral .36.

Bearing in mind that in operating the apparatus, to make the calculation, the carriage l is shifted to the left to move the sheet l from its extreme right-hand position a number of type spaces, corresponding to the sum total of all of the columnar type spaces, and that the multiple scale bar it is shifted to a position in which the letter C on the selected scale I4 is spaced to the right of the index 3 a number of type spaces equal to the sum total of all the intercolumnar type spaces, it will be seen that both the shifting of the sheet I to the left by the space bar and the spacing of the letter C to the right of the index 3 are subtractive with respect to the reading of the scale it where the right-hand edge of the sheet I crosses it and that the final remainder of these two subtractions is divided by two, due to the spacing of the numerals on the scale l3.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work, for cooperation with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type Space scale mounted on said carriage, and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates to indicate the position of the carriage with respect to the impression position, said device having means for mounting it for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage, said scale device having a first longitudinal scale having numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed index, equally spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces and having a second longitudinal scale having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces for indicating one-half the number of type spaces remaining after subtracting the sum of the columnar type-spaces and the sum of the intercolumnar type spaces, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in opposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium desighating the selected number of columns on the first 1ongitud'inal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheetof paper on the carriage crosses the second scale.

2. The combination with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type space scale mounted on said carriage, and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates to indicate the position of the carriage with respect to the impression position, of a scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work mounted for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage having a first longitudinal scale having spaced numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed index, equally spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces and having a second longitudinal scale having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in opposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium designating the selected number of columns on the first longitudinal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheet of paper on e ge crosses the second scale.

3. A scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work for cooperation with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type space scale mounted on said carriage, and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates to indicate the position of the carriage with respect to the impression position, said device having means for mounting it for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage, said scale device having a first set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed index, spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces, said scale device having a second set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces, said scale device being adjustable to bring a selected scale of each set into cooperative position, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in opposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium designating the selected number of columns on the first longitudinal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheet of paper on the carriage crosses the second scale.

4. A scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work for cooperation with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type space scale mounted on said carriage, and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates to indicate the position of the carriage with respect to the impression position, said device having means for mounting it for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage, said scaledevice having a first set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed index, spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces, said scale device having a second set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces, said scale device being rotatably adjustable to bring a selected scale of each set into cooperative position, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in opposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium designating the selected number of columns on the first longitudinal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheetof paper on the carriage crosses the second scale.

5. A scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work for cooperation with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type space scale mounted on said carriage and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates to indicate the position of the carriage with respect to the impression position, said device having means for mounting it for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage, said scale device having a first set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed index, spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces, said scale device having a second set of parallel longitudinal scales, each having equally spaced numerical indicia c0- operating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces, said scale device being adjustable to bring a selected scale of each set into cooperative position and having detent means for holding it in adjustable position, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in 0pposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium designating the selected number of columns on the first longitudinal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheet of paper on the carriage crosses the second scale.

6. A scale device for calculating equal marginal spacing in columnar work for cooperation with a typewriter having a carriage, a numerical type space scale and a fixed index with which said scale cooperates, said device having means for mounting it for longitudinal movement on and with respect to said carriage, said scale device having a first longitudinal scale having numerical indicia cooperating with said fixed indeX, equally spaced from each other a distance equal to a plurality of type spaces and having a second longitudinal scale having equally spaced numerical indicia cooperating with the margin of a paper sheet carried by the carriage, spaced from each other a distance equal to two type spaces, the numerical indicia of said first scale being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the number of type spaces in the selected intercolumnar space, and the numerical indicia on each scale increasing in arithmetical progression and in opposite directions from a common origin, whereby the carriage may be shifted to bring it to a position at which the index indicates on the type space scale the sum of columnar type spaces and the scale device may be moved to bring the numerical indicium designating the selected number of columns on the first longitudinal scale into registration with said index, enabling the proper extracolumnar marginal spacing to be read at the point where the sheet of paper on the carriage crosses the second scale.

BON'NEY H. GRIEF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 587,587 Kitzmiller et al Aug. 3, 1897 907,450 Branson Dec. 22, 1908 940,363 Robbins Nov. 16, 1909 1,153,252 Pritzl Sept. 14, 1915 

